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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Pilot error 'led to Puma crash' | Pilot error 'led to Puma crash' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A helicopter crash in Iraq which killed two SAS soldiers in 2007 was primarily caused by pilot error, a coroner has ruled at an inquest into their deaths. | A helicopter crash in Iraq which killed two SAS soldiers in 2007 was primarily caused by pilot error, a coroner has ruled at an inquest into their deaths. |
| However Herefordshire coroner David Halpern also criticised the Ministry of Defence for "indefensible procedural and maintenance errors". | However Herefordshire coroner David Halpern also criticised the Ministry of Defence for "indefensible procedural and maintenance errors". |
| Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Cpl Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died in the crash. | Sgt John Battersby, 31, of Lancashire, and Cpl Lee Fitzsimmons, 26, from Peterborough, died in the crash. |
| Two other servicemen were seriously injured in the incident in Baghdad. | Two other servicemen were seriously injured in the incident in Baghdad. |
| Mr Halpern said a lack of equipment contributed to the men's deaths. | |
| He also said it was "inexplicable" a fuel valve had not been the subject of any checks for almost 30 years. | |
| When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this Jacqui Auty Puma: Fact file Crash soldier's mother 'bitter' | When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this Jacqui Auty Puma: Fact file Crash soldier's mother 'bitter' |
| The inquest at Hereford Town Hall had heard that an anti-spill valve on the crashed helicopter was faulty and that the device might have prevented a fire taking hold so rapidly. | |
| The men's colleagues had attempted to rescue them but were forced back by the exploding aircraft and ammunition "cooking off", causing a barrage of bullets to fly out of the burning wreckage. | The men's colleagues had attempted to rescue them but were forced back by the exploding aircraft and ammunition "cooking off", causing a barrage of bullets to fly out of the burning wreckage. |
| The crash happened as the soldiers tried to find and capture insurgents believed to be responsible for a bombing campaign. | The crash happened as the soldiers tried to find and capture insurgents believed to be responsible for a bombing campaign. |
| MoD failings | |
| Sgt John Battersby is believed to have died before the fire took hold | |
| Recording narrative verdicts on both men, Mr Halpern said he believed Sgt Battersby had died before the fire had taken hold, while Cpl Fitzsimmons had died from a severe head injury and the inhalation of fumes. | |
| The inquest was told Cpl Fitzsimmons' injuries had not been survivable and it was inconceivable they would not have rendered him unconscious. | |
| Mr Halpern said he did not want to be "over-critical" of the pilot, who had been faced with "a very difficult task". | |
| But the coroner criticised the MoD for its failure to foresee the risk of a fuel anti-spill valve "sticking" when an aircraft rolled over, and its failure to fit display night-vision goggles to the Puma. | |
| Jacqui Auty: "I think they deserve better than this" | |
| The inquest heard soldiers had not been wearing restraints because seatbelts had not been long enough for the equipment they had been carrying. | |
| "They really do need to implement, prosecute and police their policy regarding the use of restraints," Mr Halpern said. | |
| However the soldiers would have been justified in not wearing them when the helicopter had landed during a fast-moving mission, he added. | |
| Two Lynx helicopters and another Puma helicopter were also involved in the mission on the evening of 20 November 2007. | Two Lynx helicopters and another Puma helicopter were also involved in the mission on the evening of 20 November 2007. |
| Cpl Fitzsimmons' mother, Jacqui Auty, told the hearing: "When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this." | Cpl Fitzsimmons' mother, Jacqui Auty, told the hearing: "When our sons lay their lives on the line for the greater good, I think they deserve better than this." |